If you were thinking of downgrading from Windows 10 and then stuck with it, please let us know in the comments section as to what changed your mind.

1. Control Your Drivers

If you’re having issues with your hardware, it might be that you need to look at the drivers. Whether it’s a keyboard that refuses to connect, a screen that flickersHow to Fix the Windows 10 Screen Flashing ProblemHow to Fix the Windows 10 Screen Flashing ProblemOne issue that has affected many Windows 10 users is a flashing or flickering screen. It could either be caused by the display driver or a third-party application. We'll help you troubleshoot the issue.Read More, or a controller that is incompatible, there are so many problems that can be resolved by adjusting the drivers. This is especially true if the hardware was working fine on your previous operating system.

Once you fetched a working driver, do a system search for device manager and select the relevant result. Right-click the hardware you wish to update, select Update Driver Software… and then choose Browse my computer for driver software. Find the driver and select it, working through the wizard to install it.

Right-click the device, select Properties, change to the Driver tab, then click Roll Back Driver. If this option isn’t available, instead of selecting Properties you should select Uninstall. Then follow the steps in the paragraph above to manually install your desired version.

Select Edit > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value and name it UseWin32TrayClockExperience. Now, double-click the DWORD, set the Value Data to 1, and then click OK.

Windows 10 also saw the return of the Start menu, this time combining the traditional look with the tiles introduced in Windows 8. But if this still isn’t for you, check out a program called Classic Shell which allows you to fully customize the Start menu and return it to former glory.

3. Find Replacement Programs

You may have found that some of the default Windows programs you often used have vanished when upgrading to Windows 10. It’s true, Microsoft has pulled things like Windows Media Center, desktop gadgets and pre-installed games. But you can bring them back, albeit some with the support of third-party developers.

Finally, if you were a fan of the simple yet time-consuming games like Minesweeper and Solitaire, you may have been shocked to see that the only pre-installed game on Windows 10 is Candy Crush. These gaming favorites are still available, you just have to download them for free from the Store. Microsoft Solitaire Collection and Microsoft Minesweeper can be quickly installed, along with a variety of other apps and games.

The first step you can take is to switch your user account from a Windows account, which syncs your settings and files, to a local account. To do so, press Windows Key + I to launch Settings and click Accounts. You’ll see Sign in with a local account instead at the top of the window, if you’re currently using a Windows account. Click the link, verify the password, and follow the wizard through to the end to make the switch.

One of the main areas to explore is your privacy settings. To access this area, press Windows Key + I to launch Settings, then select Privacy. Go through each of the left-hand menu items in turn and switch off the features that concern you. For example, under General you might want to turn the advertising ID tracking off. You might also want to go to Camera and disable particular apps from accessing your camera.

5. Suggest Improvements

If Windows 10 isn’t quite there for you, try suggesting features directly to Microsoft. To do this, do a system search for Windows Feedback and select the relevant result. Though you’ll have to use a Microsoft account to participate, this application allows you to suggest new features and vote on those that other users have raised.

Sure, your suggestion isn’t guaranteed to turn into reality, nor will there be a quick resolution to it (unless by coincidence!), but it’s good that you can have a direct impact on the future enhancements of the operating system you’re using.

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mike field

May 20, 2016 at 10:19 am

I hate win 10 offers me nothing hate the look hate the menus hate them taking control of my workspace and gathering data that picnhes my cpu cycles, and the downgrade riuned my index files on hard disk and had to do a clean install of 7.

I tried to update my laptop to Win10. After wasting most of a day (lost productivity) I tried to go back to the Win7 X64 pro I had been using - It failed (more lost productivity, but I do have backups) I went as far as actually digging out the original DVD to reinstall the Win7, then decided to try Linux on my now completely borked laptop. ( It was trashed already so nothing to lose here) On a friend's recommendation I installed Ubuntu. It installed quicker than Windows, It automatically detected all of the hardware and installed the proper drivers. and it did everything I needed - essentially, a lite Word processor & Spreadsheet that could work with the MS Office formats, (both provided by the recommended LibreOffice) A web browser, firefox was installed during the setup, DropBox access to my already existing DropBox. All of my FF addons either just worked or there was a Linux alternative. The laptop is faster and seemingly more secure from drive by virus installs. There is very little difference in the way it looks and works

They removed Spotify from my machine, they changed all my privacy settings after an update and even the windows store stopped working! All this aggrevation and Windows 10 offered me nothing new over windows 8.

Unfortunately I had gone over the month rollback feature but luckily my Packard Bell has a restore partition so I reset the factory settings and wonder of wonders windows 8.1 returned!

I used 3rd party software to remove the nag screen to upgrade, and if needed I still have the rescue disk with Windows 10 on it should I ever have to use it again.

I was forced into downgrading by Micrsoft's Online Support. I kept getting errors when trying to add a Windows User. They tinkered with the computer up until a point where they said my computer wasn't supported/ tested. After that, restore, reset, and all else failed.

Joe started writing about technology when he was far too young and hasn't stopped. He spends most of his time obsessing over computer software and hardware, and loves talking about himself in third person. Ask me about Loom.